Vehicle Issues

Check out the archives from this board on car issues. It will give you a ton of info. Shipping a car from FL costs about $2-3000 to actually get it on the road here. It's a hassle. If you know you have a good car and you think it's worth that, go for it. If you have a lien on your car, shipping is tough. Cars are regularly available for sale here for $2-3000. How dependable they are varies. I have friends who have had good luck and friends who have had bad luck when they spent a couple grand on an island car. Because the cars get beaten up so significantly by the roads here, I think many people look at cars differently than they do in the states. A nice car is not as big a deal here. Also, you never spend a lot of time in it like you might have in the states.
Again, check the archives about the scooter idea. The roads are rough, and have virtually no shoulder. They're frequently overgrown. A scooter is a bad idea on STX.
Good luck.

I agree; a scooter is a baaaad idea in my opinion. Cars are always available, but they usually are marked up for shipping - so its a wash. However, depending on where you live on island you may want something with a little more clearance than a regular car. Most people opt for SUV's or used Jeeps. I know of 2 people who bought '97 Jeep Cherokees - one a basic for $5500. from a private owner, and the other with power everything for $9,000. from a dealer. Both had high mileage 75-100,000. The basic one from a local has been great, the power everything has had all kinds of trouble.... So, there's all kinds of deals.